Top 5 expected agribusiness events in 2025 in Kazakhstan
The sector of the Kazakh agro-industrial complex in 2025, as announced by industry departments, is awaiting transformation. Thus, counter-obligations will be introduced for farmers in return for subsidies. They should reduce corruption, which has been repeatedly stated at the government level. This measure will cover not only those involved in crop production, animal husbandry, but also the processing of agricultural products. After the large-scale spring floods, specialized offices took care of the development of a flood modelling system and forecasts of reservoir filling. They also promise to launch an interactive platform on water resources. Some initiatives have already been resolved and will be implemented in the coming year, and some of them are under discussion.
Introducing counter obligations in exchange for subsidies
Starting in 2025, a new system of agricultural subsidies for producers and processors of agricultural products should be launched: subsidies in exchange for counter obligations. The aim of the initiative is to ensure equal access to government support for all farmers, regardless of the size and shape of their farms. Another reason is to reduce corruption risks. In order to receive subsidies, manufacturers will have to indicate the volume of their products annually in a certain system and not reduce it by the previous year.
A flood modeling system may be introduced
After large-scale floods in 2024, Kazakhstan began to develop a flood modelling and reservoir filling forecast system.gharysh.kz.
The Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation has drafted a new Water Code. In the new edition of the Water Code, the issues of safety of hydraulic structures (HS) are highlighted in a separate section.
The concept for the development of the water resources management system for 2024-2030 provides for the digitisation of more than 3.5 thousand km of canals and automation of water accounting of irrigation systems. This document also provides for the modernisation and development of water management infrastructure, improving the efficiency of water resources use.
Introduction of subsidies for processing of fish products
The Rules for subsidising the processing of fish products are to come into force on January 1, 2025. Last year, this document was at the "draft" level, it had to be examined, coordinated with the competent government agencies and submitted for approval by the Minister of Agriculture.
"Currently, fish processing enterprises are not interested in expanding deep processing of fish, as they are not covered by state support. In order to reduce the cost and increase the profitability of processed products, it is proposed to introduce a mechanism for subsidising final fish products. This will create demand for Kazakhstani raw fish, including farmed fish, as well as ensure the growth of exports of fish products with high added value and ultimately increase the export potential of the industry," the Ministry of Agriculture reported.
Launch of a large-scale agricultural census
Starting in 2025, Kazakhstan will launch a complete census of agricultural enterprises, peasant, farm, personal subsidiary farms in towns and villages, as well as horticultural and dacha cooperatives. The aim of this initiative is to obtain detailed information about the real state of agriculture.
An exchange for trading livestock may appear
In November 2024, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced that the government was working on opening the first specialized stock exchange, which would provide civilized rules for trading livestock and eliminate unproductive intermediaries between farmers and buyers.
It is planned to put into operation 29 meat poultry farms with a total capacity of more than 220 thousand tonnes of meat per year, as well as 11 egg poultry farms with a capacity of 850 million eggs per year. It is planned to create six feedlots for almost 100 thousand heads of cattle, as well as launch a complex for fattening 50 thousand heads of small cattle.
By Anna Vidyanova for Kapital (Kazakhstan).